Sherri Ledford | Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

"I was new to the area and accepted a paraprofessional job at one of our high schools. Actually, it was the only high school at the time. We have grown so much we now have two in our district! MaryAnn Litt, a paraprofessional I worked with at the time, gave me an application packet and asked me to look it over. She told me that after I read what ATPE had to offer, she was pretty sure I wouldn't want to look elsewhere. She was correct! I am now a teacher, but I continue to be an ATPE member with pride."

Andrea Keller | Irving ISD

Irving ATPE Vice President Andrea Keller recently blogged about her experience at the ATPE Summit and her introduction to ATPE:

"So, I paid my dues every year and knew I was covered ... but then I attended ATPE Summit and I realized how much more ATPE does for me as an educator. This year I also am taking on more at the local level as I am now the Vice President of Irving ATPE."

 Read Andrea's full post here.

Brooklynn Stapleton | Decatur ISD

"I was introduced to ATPE while attending Texas Woman's University. I became very involved in the organization, including attending all events as well as being a 'poster child' for ATPE posters that went out for an upcoming year of recruitment. Once I landed my job after college, I was able to use several of the online professional development courses."

Hilda Martinez | La Joya ISD

Norma Vega and Hilda Martinez

Have you submitted your Each One, Reach One story yet? Tell us how you were introduced to ATPE by Aug. 16 for a chance to win a $50 Starbucks gift card! Here's Hilda's story:

"After I stopped teaching in 2003 and took a few years off, I never thought about joining any organization. When I started substitute teaching in 2006, I met up with Norma Vega, a former colleague from Mission CISD. She told me that I needed to join ATPE because she believed that I would benefit in many ways by joining. I didn't think much about it because I had had a bad experience with the union I was a member of. She helped me every step of the way then as she does now. Every year I strive to get at least 10 members, but last year I had a goal, which she helped me achieve. [Hilda was ATPE's top recruiter in 2012-13! She recruited 104 members.] Thank you, Norma, for introducing me to the BEST organization in the state of Texas. I believe that if each one of us has contact with at least five people, we can sure speak to them about the protection, advocacy and resources that ATPE offers."

Stephanie Bailey | Cy-Fair ISD

"I had been lured to a training by another organization. Then I found out that I would have to pay more than $400 for a membership [in the other organization]; we all were tricked into joining by signing for the certificate from the training. When I returned to my campus in Cy-Fair, I told a teacher friend. Her name was Becky Keels. She told me that I didn't have to pay that much and that she would assist me in transferring to ATPE. I have now been with this wonderful organization for six years, and I am a campus rep. I am an avid supporter of this organization."

Carole Henry | Southwest ISD

"I belonged to another organization for years. Our local unit president, Veronica Reyna, tried for two years to convince me that ATPE was better. I finally agreed to sit down with her while she showed me a side-by-side comparison. She finally convinced me with that information and I made the switch. I only wish I had listened to her earlier."

Jennifer Bowland | Mansfield ISD

"I originally came to the district as a substitute, and then the following school year in 2005, I joined the district as a paraprofessional for SPED Content Mastery ELA. One of the SPED teachers I was working with was Debby Skinner, and she was the campus rep at DP Morris and was involved as a local unit officer. She asked me to join ATPE, and I have been a member ever since. Without her asking me, I would have never been asked to be a campus rep on my campus when I was a new teacher. In addition, without knowing her, I would have never been encouraged to explore local events and find out how I could become more involved. This in turn led me to serving as LAN coordinator and secretary, and this year I will serve as our president. I am very fortunate to be involved in such a wonderful organization, and I owe it to Debby Skinner who introduced me first to ATPE."